Diaper Rash

Diaper rashes are common in infants and toddlers between 9 and 12 months of age. This type of rash occurs when the skin area covered by a diaper becomes red and irritated. The condition is most often caused by irritation of the skin from urine or stool. These rashes can usually be treated at home without the need to see a healthcare provider.

What Is a Diaper Rash?

A diaper rash is when the skin under the diaper becomes red and irritated. Medically, it is known as diaper dermatitis.
 
Diaper rash will affect almost every baby at least once. While there are things you can do to decrease the chances of this happening, your baby is likely to get it anyway. Baby's skin is sensitive. Add to that a moist environment, friction from the diaper rubbing back and forth, and skin-irritating urine and stools; this is the perfect environment for diaper rash.
 
If your baby gets a little diaper rash, know that it is not your fault. It happens. The trick is catching it early and making it go away as fast as possible.
 

What Causes Diaper Rash?

By far, the most common cause of diaper rash is irritation of the skin from stool or urine. This is known as an irritant diaper rash. Irritant diaper rashes can become more severe if they are infected with yeast or bacteria. This is more likely to happen if the rash is left untreated for more than a couple of days.
 
Diaper rashes can also be caused by a number of different skin conditions that are unrelated to diaper use and/or irritants. They also can become infected with yeast or bacteria.
 
(Click Causes of Diaper Rash for more information.)
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
 
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